'Cosmopolitans,' by Fred Rosenbaum

History

Ava F. Kahn, Special to The Chronicle

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, November 22, 2009

Photo: Judah L. Magnes Museum

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from the book "cosmopolitans" by fred rosenbaum:
rabbi Mayer Hirsch of congregation Anshe Sfard. During prohibition many traditional synagogues generated income through sale of "sacramental" wine, which authorities permitted less

from the book "cosmopolitans" by fred rosenbaum:
rabbi Mayer Hirsch of congregation Anshe Sfard. During prohibition many traditional synagogues generated income through sale of "sacramental" wine, which ... more

Photo: Judah L. Magnes Museum

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'Cosmopolitans,' by Fred Rosenbaum

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Cosmopolitans

A Social and Cultural History of the Jews of the San Francisco Bay Area

Born in the volatile California Gold Rush, the Bay Area's Jewish community has thrived despite, or maybe because of, its diversity.

Dedicated to Seymour Fromer, co-founder of Berkeley's Magnes Museum, Fred Rosenbaum's "Cosmopolitans" brings to life more than 100 years of Bay Area Jewish history. It captures the spirit of the community, including the rabbi who wanted to settle Eastern European immigrants in Baja (anywhere but San Francisco, where they could be an embarrassment), its musical geniuses (Yehudi Menuhin and Isaac Stern), assorted politicians (virtuous and criminal), the good, the bad, the questionable and the just plain complex. Through engaging chronological narrative, the book explains the relationship between the Jews and their city, its heterogeneous population, and the intergroup battles over Zionism and politics that divided the community.

Rosenbaum, the author of several books about Bay Area Jewry, researched his subject over several decades. I crossed paths with him several times over the years as we both sought to understand the Jewish community by the bay. His dedication to the topic is evident in its encyclopedic scope. Robert Alter through Anthony Zellerbach, Aquarian Minyan through Congregation Sherith Israel, anti-Semitism through Zionism, Rosenbaum, a superb storyteller, successfully makes the case for the distinct nature of San Francisco's pre-World War II Jewish community. The city did not fit the pattern of most American Jewish communities; it sprang to life instantly without layers of immigration, and its founding elites held power longer than in other cities, where new immigrants often quickly gained a foothold.

Making use of temple minute books, newspapers and a wide variety of secondary sources, Rosenbaum sheds light on the lives of a wide array of personalities that shaped the community. One of my favorites, Ray Frank, the "girl rabbi," led services and lectured on Jewish topics throughout the Bay Area. Gertrude Stein of Oakland gained world renown, and muralist Bernard Zakheim's images adorn Coit Tower. Along with the lives of social activists such as Sherith Israel's Rabbi Jacob Nieto, we learn of juicy scandals, including a rabbi found smoking on the Sabbath and the cantor's wife who punched the synagogue's board secretary. For those who like adventure, there is the fantastic story of Anna Strunsky, a socialist who traveled to czarist Russia in 1907 as a foreign correspondent to cover the pogroms. To add romance to this story, Rosenbaum tells how she had a relationship with Jack London and co-authored a book with him.

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For those who read true crime, there is the disturbing account of Sol Nitzman of Petaluma, kidnapped and tarred and feathered for communist associations. And, for the many who believe that San Francisco is the Promised Land, the reader learns that Rep. Julius Kahn proclaimed that San Francisco was his "Jerusalem." With San Francisco elevated, Kahn eliminated charges of dual loyalty.

Although not perfect, "Cosmopolitans" has few flaws. Like most regional histories, "Cosmopolitans" falls into the common template of comparisons to New York, when comparisons with smaller Midwestern or Southern cities might be more insightful. A few descriptions of Jewish life are overly laudable. However, all interpretations are solidly based. Rosenbaum succeeded in placing the San Francisco Jewish community in historical context. The style and format are outstanding. Beyond the flowing narrative, Rosenbaum selected historic photographs that enhance the prose, pushing his themes forward.

I must admit, I came to "Cosmopolitans" with a bit of arrogance. I assumed it would be a good read, but would I learn anything? Well, I learned quite a bit. With poetry and politics, arts and theater, big business and chicken farming, war and peace, religion and spiritualism, building frenzies and natural disasters, the elite and the outrageous, "Cosmopolitans" will entertain and educate us all. If I had had "Cosmopolitans" in my hands 18 years ago when I started researching Western Jewish history, I would have had much less to do. It will be the standard for academic and historically curious readers for many years to come.

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